Molecular Mixology: DIY Alcoholic Dippin' Dots

With their bright colors and futuristic appeal, Dippin' Dots are a kid favorite at carnivals and beyond, but we're much more interested in this adult-friendly update: alcoholic Dippin' Dots! Gizmodo has the full step-by-step instructions for making your own version at home.

Liquid nitrogen is the key ingredient in these flash-frozen ice cream bits, which remain cold enough to stay solid in the spoon, but instantly melt in your mouth. The process is fairly simple — slowly drip alcohol-spiked ice cream base into liquid nitrogen — and Gizmodo provides some information on buying liquid nitrogen for use at home.

This would make an impressive finish to a dinner party meal or a fun, nostalgic dessert for an outdoor summer party. If the technique is a little too intimidating, you could also just make Gizmodo's recipe for Manhattan ice cream for a less futuristic, but equally boozy frozen dessert.